1. The Hawaiian Language

2. Home Background Alphabet Pronunciation Samples Works Cited Page
Click the orchid to return Home

3. Background
The Hawaiian Language (Olelo Hawai’i) along with English is an official language of the state of Hawaii which became a state in 1959.

4. Alphabet
There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet: five vowels – a,e,i,o,u and seven consonants – h,k,l,m,p,and w. The ‘okina is used between vowels to make a distant separation and is considered a consonant making 13 letters altogether.
‘okina
Hawai’i
A ‘okina is placed between double vowels to emphasize the pronunciation of each vowel sound.

5. Pronunciation
Every letter is pronounced the same way each time and every syllable ends in a vowel sound. The vowels sounds are:
A – ah
E – a (long a)
I – e (long e)
O- o (long o)
U – oh
The seven consonants are always pronounced the same way.
Explore some examples with this glossary of Hawaiian words.

6. Samples

7. Samples
beach
kahaone
Use the Hawaiian Electronic Library to try your own words.
Click the beach for more samples

8. Samples forest ululāʻau
Use the Hawaiian Electronic Library to try your own words.

9. Samples volcano luapele
Use the Hawaiian Electronic Library to try your own words.

10. Samples sunset napoʻo ʻana o ka lā
Use the Hawaiian Electronic Library to try your own words.

11. Samples lava ʻā pele (rough lava); pāhoehoe (smooth)
Use the Hawaiian Electronic Library to try your own words.

12. Samples mountain mauna
Use the Hawaiian Electronic Library to try your own words.

13. Samples
trees
lāʻau
Use the Hawaiian Electronic Library to try your own words.

14. Samples
coast
kapakai
Use the Hawaiian Electronic Library to try your own words.

15. Works Cited Page Images: Information:
"Hawaii Language - Hawaii Native Language." WanderPlanet Travel | Vacation with Travel Deals, Discount Hotels Resorts, Cheap Airfares, Car Rentals. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan <
"Hawaiian language - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan <
"Hawaiian Language." Hawaii Vacation Travel Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan <
"Nā Puke Wehewehe ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi." Nā Puke Wehewehe ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan < Information:
Images:
"Maps of Hawaii." Hawaiian Maps. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan <
All other images are originals taken by Karen C. Seddon